Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Information about mustang grapes March 14, 2016 We live in the Driftwood area. There is a native vine that looks like Mustang grape but never produces. A friend who is native to this area called it rat vine. I miss my Mustang grape jelly. Is t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Removing Center Stem From Desert Spoon (Sotol) in Phoenix March 11, 2016 I have a desert spoon. I hate the center stem. Can I remove the center stem without hurting the rest of the plant? And what is the best way to remove it? I looked for this answer in your questions bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lopidea on Texas Mountain Laurel March 10, 2016 How do I get rid of lopidea on mountain laurel? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Location of Elbow Bush and Gregg's Saddlebush at the Wildflower Center March 10, 2016 I have twice looked for Forestiera pubescens (Elbow Plant) and Mortonia greggi (Gregg's Saddlebush) in your gardens and have been unable to find. I have looked on the trails as well. Would you be a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native tree for Uvalde Texas March 10, 2016 What Tree can grow in Uvalde Tx. Native type View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ornamental grasses for North Carolina coastal region March 09, 2016 What ornamental grasses will grow in pure sand and withstand salt-laden winds in zones 8 a and 8 b? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Loblolly Pine in Salado, Texas March 09, 2016 I would like to plant a loblolly pine in Salado, Texas. Will these grow well here? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine to attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds in Austin March 09, 2016 We'd like suggestions for a climbing, flowering, butterfly/hummingbird friendly plant for our Austin, TX backyard!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Carolina jessamine flowers toxic to bees? March 08, 2016 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, My husband and I recently planted 15 yellow Carolina Jessamine bushes along our back fence. Our hope is that it will vine up into the fence and give us privacy. I went online... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to find milkweeds and other butterfly favorites March 07, 2016 Our neighborhood in San Antonio is planning a big Arbor Day celebration. One of the events will focus on Monarch Butterflies. We will be releasing some live ones in our park and will have a booth th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Texas mountain laurel in a pot March 07, 2016 I have a really good friend who Mom pass away just recently and they were the best of friends. She loved her mother dearly and did tons of stuff together. Recently I posted a picture of a Mountain L... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of Mexican Petunia in Chorpus Christi, TX March 05, 2016 What is the best way to get rid of unwanted Mexican Petunia that keeps spreading to unwanted areas of my flower beds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Bluebonnet seeds still viable after storage for a year? March 02, 2016 I bought a pouch of Bluebonnets a year ago and now found them and have to wait to Fall to plant. Too old? Start over in purchase? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does Possumhaw need full sun for a bountiful crop of berries? March 02, 2016 I planted a possumhaw last year in a sunny location, however as the season changed the plant became shaded by a large Ashe juniper all through the winter. No berries this winter, but it is a young pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Should flower stems of Texas mountain laurel be removed after they bloom? March 02, 2016 Should I trim off the old flower stems from this years bloom on a Texas Mountain Laurel? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Name of the yellow wildflowers that gave Amarillo, TX its name March 01, 2016 What is the name of the yellow wildflowers that gave Amarillo, Texas, its name? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Wax Myrtle trees & bushes February 28, 2016 When is the best time of year to prune Wax Myrtle trees & bushes. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A puppy's challenge in the ivy February 23, 2016 ok.. so, heres the thing: my puppy &i often play with a frisbee toy in the yard (cuz the boy's got leaps!). however, it has become apparent that, simply put: i am a TERRIBLE frisbee player!! truly th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ground covers for a shady spot in central Texas February 23, 2016 I reside in Austin, Texas and need advice on my xeriscaping project. Portions of my front yard have always been a challenge to get grass to grow, so I have xeriscaped that area with Fairland Pink gran... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Water-Wise Privacy Hedge for California February 22, 2016 I would like recommendations for a privacy hedge that would grow at least 12 feet tall with non-invasive roots and hopefully water-wise in Los Angeles. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Preventing Oak Galls February 22, 2016 How do you prevent live oak galls? Do you have a solution? Many of our live oaks are infested with them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Rabbit-proof Plants for Florida Swimming Pool Area February 22, 2016 I plan on planting white star jasmine and purple bocouilla plants around a south-facing swimming pool in Naples, Florida. I was told rabbits might eat them which we do have. Should I be concerned, and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Two Holly Cultivars for a Texas Front Landscape? February 22, 2016 We are starting a new with our landscape. All existing 30-year-old plants are going to be removed. We would like a focal point at the front door area and are considering 'Savannah' or 'Nellie R. St... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to Control Poison Ivy February 22, 2016 We have lots of Poison Ivy on a site we are clearing it is adjacent to a pond and children are around this area all the time. We are creating hiking paths. I have a lot of experience but I do not wan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Blackfoot Daisy care in Marble Falls TX February 21, 2016 I've planted and killed a number of blackfoot daisy plants. I know it's a hardy plant that, once established needs little or no care. But what about getting them started? What care do they need f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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